The influence of anti-HBc status on the sustained virological response rate in HCV-infected patients treated with pegylated interferon alfa 2 and ribavirin

Abstract

Aim of the studyTo determine the influence of HBsAg and HBeAg negative but anti-HBc positive status on the sustained virological response (SVR) rate in HCV-infected patients treated with pegylated interferon alfa 2 (Peg-IFNα-2) and ribavirin (RBV).Material and methodsThe study was based on the retrospective analysis of medical records of HCV-infected patients who started Peg-IFNα and RBV treatment between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2013 at the 1st and 2nd Department of Infectious Diseases of the Regional Hospital in Wrocław, Poland.ResultsAmong 240 patients included in the analysis 99 were anti-HBc positive and 141 anti-HBc negative. In the genotype 1, anti-HBc positive group the SVR rate was 47% and in the anti-HBc negative group it was 42.7% (p = 0.591). In the genotype 3, anti-HBc positive group the SVR rate was 60% and in anti-HBc negative patients it was 63.2% (p = 0.79). Differences in SVR rates between anti-HBc positive and negative groups were not statistically significant. None of the anti-HBc positive patients developed reactivation of HBV infection during or in the 24 weeks following the end of treatment.ConclusionsAnti-HBc determination does not seem to be useful in predicting treatment outcome of conventional Peg-IFNα/RBV therapy in patients infected with HCV genotypes 1 and 3.

Gastrointestinally Digested Protein from the Insect Alphitobius diaperinus Stimulates a Different Intestinal Secretome than Beef or Almond, Producing a Differential Response in Food Intake in Rats

“…The nutritional value of insects has been extensively documented [ 8 , 9 ]. In addition to protein quality and quantity, they have high-quality fat content with high MUFA and/or PUFA content, and are rich in minerals and vitamins [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Although this composition varies depending on the insect’s species [ 9 ], sex [ 13 ], and diet [ 14 ], edible insects are considered a nutritious alternative to traditional animal protein derived from livestock.…”

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Reactivation Following Pharmacological Eradication of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

“…However, all 10 HCV monoinfected patients became HBV-DNA undetectable at the end of therapy and none showed a clinical HBV reactivation. Similarly, in a study by Szymanek-Pasternak et al [56] of the 99 HCV/anti-HBc-positive patients followed-up for 24 weeks after the end of treatment with Peg-IFNα and RBV, none developed HBV reactivation.…”